SWAN Hill Women In Racing is hosting the Golden Topaz in the Hub today – the opening day of the three-day bet365 Swan Hill June Racing Carnival – and it is the must place to be.
The 160-odd people lucky enough to have a seat at the annual SHWIR extravaganza will also have a chance to buy tickets to win a pair of diamond stud earrings.
SHWIR co-founder Sharon Anderson-Taylor said their committee purchased the amazing prize from Aspire Jewellery as “it’s just a way of adding something exciting for anyone who purchases raffle tickets to have a chance of winning”.
“And as all the proceeds are going to cystic fibrosis, for what is a very worthy cause, it’s an even better outcome.
“Giving the money to CF is an acknowledgment of Swan Hill’s Caulfield Cup winning jockey Harry Coffey, born with the condition, and his mother Maree, who is also a SHWIR committee member.”
The incredible support of CF research has been a powerful project for SHWIR and its raffles for several years now.
“But even if you are not lucky enough to win the earrings, you know having a great day out is also going to be a big win for the Swan Hill Jockey Club in particular and the town in general,” Ms Anderson-Taylor said.
“Any monies we raise from ticket prices after costs goes to the Swan Hill Jockey Club to help improve amenities on the racecourse, to do those things here and there which might be in the budget that year so it’s a win-win.”
Ms Anderson-Taylor said an idea started in 2024, with two of their major sponsors – Preston Rowe Paterson and long-term supporter Grizzly Engineering – will also continue this year and that’s more good news for the town.
Preston Rowe Paterson is donating a $550 voucher, which the lucky winner (woman or man) will be able to exchange for a pair of RM Williams boots at Clarks Gift Store.
Ms Anderson-Taylor said Grizzly Engineering’s $500 cash support has enabled SHWIR to spend most of it purchasing vouchers with some of their sponsors, just as they did the previous year.
She added they are all local Swan Hill businesses, with this year’s list including Bloom Medispa, The Beauty Spot and Pretty Bird Apparel, and they will all be used for fashion prizes.
“The balance will be used to offer 12 x $25 betting tickets with generous support from Bakker & Glen and Voyage Fitness (on top of the Grizzly Engineering money) via a lucky draw which people can enter with their losing tote tickets with their names on them by putting then in a barrel,” Ms Anderson-Taylor said.
“It’s a great way to keep the money in town, it helps promote all our fabulous sponsors and it makes it such a brilliant hometown story.”
The Golden Topaz in the Hub is fast approaching its 28th birthday after being started as a mini-marquee moment in 1997 – and it has never looked back.
So popular Ms Anderson-Taylor said, numbers have to be capped so caterers can deliver meals to the tables easily.
SHWIR is also the organiser of the hugely popular fashions on the field – which spans all three days.
“If our original goal was to have something suitable to attract more women to the races, I think all our committees and members through the past years have more than delivered,” Ms Anderson-Taylor said.
“We have our day on the Friday, but we have fashion events for all ages spread across the carnival and, of course, the headline fashion on the field event is on bet365 Swan Hill Cup Day on Sunday – so we all hope to see you there.”
